beat sth out

We Got the Beat

"We Got the Beat" is a song recorded by the American rock band Go-Go's. Written by the group's lead guitarist Charlotte Caffey, the band recorded the song in 1982 and it was released as a single in the UK on Stiff Records. This single release brought the Go-Go's underground credibility in the UK and managed to climb to number 35 on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart due to the popularity of the song in clubs as an import.

Clocking in at only two-and-a-half-minutes, the song is instantly recognizable by its drumming intro. Lyrically the song is a simple ode to dancing to a good beat, hanging out and looking cool. "We Got the Beat" also namechecks various popular dance moves such as the Pony, the Watusi and Go-Go dancing (which could also be interpreted as a self-reference). The song's music video received heavy airplay on MTV at the time and consisted of a simple live concert performance of the song and gained further exposure by being used in the opening sequence of the Cameron Crowe film Fast Times at Ridgemont High.